Pregnant jail inmate: Doctors hid case from dean

On finding out that the hospital dean didn't know about the case of pregnant jail inmate, State Women's Commission member Snehlata Upadhyay took possession of all her medical reports on Tuesday.

Some of the doctors, who were treating the female jail inmate, did not even inform their hospital dean Dr Pushpa Verma and superintendent Dr PS Thakur about the matter and the same was confirmed during Upadhyay's visit to the hospital. Sushmabai (35) (name changed) was brought to the hospital for mental investigation on October 8.

Speaking to HT, Upadhyay said this is a very serious matter that doctors are hiding information about the patients from their seniors.

"When I contacted hospital dean Dr Pushpa Verma and superintendent Dr PS Thakur, they said they don't have any information about patient. They came to know about her only through newspapers," Upadhyay said.

After this, Upadhyay immediately asked doctors to hand over medical treatment report to her. Dr Puspha Verma had switched off her phone and thus could not be contacted for comments.

Upadhyay also directed hospital administration to change the woman's prisoner ward and bring her to the main building. Before her visit, the female prisoner was the lone patient kept at psychiatric ward and guards used to put lock on doors for security reasons. On Monday, however, she was shifted to one of the wards of the main building.

Issue reaches national women's panelTaking serious cognizance of the under-trial woman, the National Woman's Commission (NWC) has decided to probe the matter.

Sushmabai has been undergoing trial in a Jhabua court since last ten months on charge of murdering her mother-in-law. She is currently undergoing treatment at the psychiatric ward of Indore's MY Hospital.

Speaking to HT over phone, National Woman Commission president Mamta Sharma's personal assistant Asthana said commission will start investing the matter from Thursday. Commission will write letter to the prime minister. "The guilty will be brought to book on the basis of the reports," Asthana said.

Meanwhile, Jaiswal raised question over female prisoners security inside the jail and while they were traveling along with the male constables.